Apparatus for illuminating a portable electronic or computing device

ABSTRACT

An illumination apparatus for illuminating an object associated with a portable handheld video game device having a port in electrical connection with at least one power source. The illumination apparatus includes a plug for plugging the apparatus into the port, a body connected to the plug, an illumination device connected to the body and adapted to be powered by the power source when the plug is plugged into the port for illuminating an object associated with the portable handheld video game device, the illumination device including a connection member, and an interchangeable illumination head removably attached to the connection member of the illumination device and adapted to be illuminated by the illumination device.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/847,118,filed May 1, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 09/712,692, filed Nov. 13, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,873, whichis a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/330,322, filed Jun. 11,1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,636.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of lighting devices for portableelectronic or computing devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Compact electronic devices with a viewing screen or keypads have becomevery common and quite popular. Such devices have been popular for anumber of years in connection with hand-held, portable, battery-poweredgaming devices. A well-known example of such a device, that has soldmillions of units, is the GAME BOY™ device sold by Nintendo. Morerecently, other electronic devices have also included viewing screens,such as portable video cameras and cellular phones. And, of course,portable computers have long had viewing screens. Although thecomplexity and cost of such devices can vary greatly, it is common forsuch devices to use a generally flat, liquid crystal display screen.

Flat, liquid crystal display screens work very well in a well-lit area.However, when such devices are used in dimly lit areas, or at night, itcan be difficult, if not impossible, for a user to see anything in theviewing screen. This problem is magnified when such a screen is used ina device that is meant to be portable, and especially when it is a smalldevice.

If a portable device is sufficiently complex, and generally moreexpensive, such as a portable laptop computer, the device can includelighting within the actual device. An example of such lighting is aportable laptop computer with a backlit screen. However, this solutionis not always economically practical, nor does it necessarily solve theproblem in smaller devices. Also, if an electronic device does not havea viewing screen, then this option is not even available.

To solve this problem, especially in connection with hand-held,portable, battery-powered gaming devices, a number of differentsolutions have been proposed. Such solutions have typically includedadd-on devices with their own source of electrical power. These devicescan be designed to fit onto the electronic device or be designed for usein connection with the electronic device. However, because such devicesuse their own source of electrical power, they tend to be rather bulkyand heavy. In addition, the second source of electrical power increasescost and creates the possibility of another source of power failure.

Accordingly, there is a long felt need for a simple, economical, devicethat can illuminate portable electronic or computing devices andassociated objects without the drawbacks associated with priorillumination devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention involves an illumination apparatus forilluminating an object associated with a portable handheld video gamedevice having a port in electrical connection with at least one powersource. The illumination apparatus includes a plug for plugging theapparatus into the port, a body connected to the plug, an illuminationdevice connected to the body and adapted to be powered by the powersource when the plug is plugged into the port for illuminating an objectassociated with the portable handheld video game device, theillumination device including a connection member, and aninterchangeable illumination head removably attached to the connectionmember of the illumination device and adapted to be illuminated by theillumination device.

Another aspect of the invention involves a method of illuminating anobject associated with a portable handheld video game device having aport in electrical connection with at least one power source. The methodincludes providing an illumination apparatus comprising a plug forplugging the apparatus into the port, a body connected to the plug, andan illumination device connected to the body, the illumination deviceadapted to removably receive one of numerous different interchangeableillumination heads; plugging the plug of the illumination apparatus intothe port of the portable handheld video game device; connecting one ofnumerous different interchangeable illumination heads to theillumination device; and lighting the illumination device and theinterchangeable illumination head with the power source to illuminate anobject associated with the portable handheld video game device.

An additional aspect of the invention involves a kit for illuminating anobject associated with a portable handheld video game device having aport in electrical connection with at least one power source. The kitincludes an illumination apparatus comprising a plug for plugging theapparatus into the port, a body connected to the plug, an illuminationdevice connected to the body and adapted to be powered by the powersource when the plug is plugged into the port for illuminating an objectassociated with the portable handheld video game device, theillumination device including a connection member; and multipleinterchangeable illumination heads, each removably attachable to theconnection member of the illumination device for illumination by theillumination device.

A further aspect of the invention involves a method of illuminating anobject associated with a portable handheld video game device having aport in electrical connection with at least one power source and adisplay screen with a width and a height. The method includes providinga flexible illumination apparatus comprising a plug for plugging theapparatus into the port, a flexible body connected to the plug, the bodyhaving a width substantially the same as at least one of the width andthe height of the display screen, and an illumination device connectedto the body; plugging the plug of the illumination apparatus into theport of the portable handheld video game device; lighting theillumination device with the power source to illuminate an objectassociated with the portable handheld video game device; and coveringthe display screen with the body of the illumination apparatus when theportable handheld video game device is not in use.

A still further aspect of the invention involves a method ofilluminating an object associated with a portable handheld video gamedevice having a port in electrical connection with at least one powersource and a display screen with a width and a height. The methodincludes providing a flexible illumination apparatus comprising a plugfor plugging the apparatus into the port, a flexible body connected tothe plug, the body having a width substantially the same as at least oneof the width and the height of the display screen, and an illuminationdevice connected to the body; plugging the plug of the illuminationapparatus into the port of the portable handheld video game device;lighting the illumination device with the power source to illuminate anobject associated with the portable handheld video game device; androlling the illumination apparatus upon itself when the portablehandheld video game device is not in use.

A yet further aspect of the invention involves an illumination apparatusfor illuminating an object associated with a portable handheld videogame device having a port in electrical connection with at least onepower source and a display screen with a width and a height. Theillumination apparatus includes a plug for plugging the apparatus intothe port; a flexible body connected to the plug, the body having a widthsubstantially the same as at least one of the width and the height ofthe display screen; and an illumination device connected to the body toilluminate an object associated with the portable handheld video gamedevice, wherein the flexible body is adapted to be positioned between atleast a first position where the illumination device is positioned toilluminate an object associated with the portable handheld video gamedevice and a second position where the body covers the display screenwhen the portable handheld video game device is not in use.

An additional aspect of the invention involves an illumination apparatusfor illuminating an object associated with a portable handheld videogame device having a port in electrical connection with at least onepower source and a display screen with a width and a height. Theillumination apparatus includes a plug for plugging the apparatus intothe port; a flexible body connected to the plug, the body having a widthsubstantially the same as at least one of the width and the height ofthe display screen; and an illumination device connected to the body toilluminate an object associated with the portable handheld video gamedevice, wherein the flexible body is adapted to be rolled upon itselfwhen the portable handheld video game device is not in use.

Another aspect of the invention involves an illumination apparatus forilluminating an object associated with a portable handheld video gamedevice having a port in electrical connection with at least one powersource. The illumination apparatus includes a base; a plug extendingfrom the base for plugging the apparatus into the port; a body connectedto the plug; an illumination device connected to the body to illuminatean object associated with the portable handheld video game device; andat least one power source carried by the base for powering theillumination device when the portable handheld video game device is notcapable of delivering power through the port.

These and further objects and advantages will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art in connection with the drawing and the detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an illuminationapparatus connected with a handheld video game device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the illumination apparatus illustratedin FIG. 2 applied to a handheld video game device with the illuminationapparatus shown in a collapsed, flat condition as a display screencover.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the illumination apparatusillustrated in FIG. 2, illustrating electroluminescent members exposedon a back side of the illumination apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the illumination apparatusillustrated in FIG. 2, illustrating the illumination apparatus in anexpanded and a collapsed, rolled-up condition.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of anillumination apparatus connected with a handheld video game device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the illumination apparatus illustratedin FIG. 6, illustrating multiple interchangeable heads that may beconnected to the illumination device.

FIG. 8 is a side-elevational view of the illumination device with aportion of the illumination device and an interchangeable head of theillumination apparatus shown in cross-section.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of an illuminationapparatus connected with a handheld video game device.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the illumination apparatus illustratedin FIG. 9 without the handheld video game device.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the illumination apparatus illustratedin FIG. 10 with a foldable body of the illumination apparatus shown in afolded-down or pivoted-down position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates how a preferred embodiment of the present inventioncan be used with a portable electronic game device, such as a GAME BOY™device. Although this drawing depicts a portable electronic game device,the invention is adaptable to any portable electronic device that has autility power jack in electrical connection with a power source, such asa cellular phone or a video camera.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device I hasa viewing screen 2, a power source and a utility power jack. The powersource and utility power jacks are not visible and are shown generallyas 3 and 4, because their location and configuration will vary dependingupon the design of a given portable electronic device. The power source3 may be self-contained, such as batteries in a battery compartment. Thepower source 3 may or may not be augmented by a plug-in capability to anon-portable power source, such as a wall outlet.

The illumination apparatus, shown generally as 5, includes a plug, showngenerally as 6, for plugging the illumination apparatus 5 into theutility power jack 4 of the electronic device 1. The exact configurationof the plug 6 should be designed so as to mate with the utility powerjack 4 and create a mechanical and electrical connection between theutility power jack 4 and the plug 6 when the apparatus 5 is plugged intothe electronic device 1.

The illumination apparatus 5 also includes a body 7 and an illuminationdevice 8. The body 7 connects the illumination device 8 to the plug 6,and the body is preferably comprised of a flexible arm. The illuminationdevice 8 is electrically connected to the utility power jack 4 throughthe plug 6 and the body 7 so that the illumination device 8 is poweredby the power source 2 when the illumination apparatus 5 is plugged intothe electronic device 1. The electrical connection between theillumination device 8 and the plug 6 can be by any suitable means, suchas by a wire (not shown). It is especially preferred that the body 7 canbe adjusted, when the apparatus 5 is plugged into the utility power jack4, to adjust the height and/or the angle of the illumination device 8relative to the electronic device 1.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the illuminationdevice 8 is comprised of a light emitting diode (“LED”) 9 housed in acase housing 10. The housing 10 can also include suitable electronics,such as a resistor 11, or a regulator (not shown) for varying theintensity of light given off by the LED. In an especially preferredembodiment, the LED 9 is a white light diode. The housing can alsoinclude additional features, such as a diffuser lens 9, or a magnifier(not shown).

When the plug 6 of the illumination apparatus 5 is plugged into theutility power jack 4 of the electronic device 1, it necessarily occupiesthe connection that the utility power jack 4 would otherwise provide toa user of the electronic device 1. Because a user of the electronicdevice 1 might need to connect some other device to the utility powerjack 4, it is especially preferred that the plug 6 be constructed so asto include a second utility power jack 12. The second utility power jack12 is adapted to receive a second plug and provide a mechanical andelectrical connection for the second plug equivalent to that which isprovided by the utility power jack 4. Thus, the second utility powerjack 12 will provide electrical communication for the second plug withthe utility power jack 4 when the second plug is plugged into the plug 6and the plug 6 is plugged into the utility power jack 4.

The present invention is also adaptable to a portable computing devicewith a display screen that is not illuminated by the portable computingdevice. In such an embodiment, the illumination apparatus is pluggedinto a utility port of the computing device in electrical connectionwith a power source instead of the utility power jack 4 of theelectronic device 1. In such a device, the utility port can be any portthat allows connection of additional products or communication devices,or cables, or any additional accessory or product. The illuminationapparatus can have a second utility port adapted to receive a secondplug that is in electrical communication with the utility port when thesecond plug is plugged into the plug and the plug is plugged into theutility port. In all other respects, the structure and function of theillumination apparatus would be the same as for the illuminationapparatus 5 described above in connection with electronic device 1.

With reference to FIGS. 2-5, an illumination apparatus 100 constructedin accordance with another embodiment of the invention will now bedescribed. The apparatus 100 includes a plug 104 (FIG. 5), aribbon-shaped body 108 that may carry one or more electro-luminescent(“EL”) members 110, and an illumination device 112 at an opposite end ofthe body 108 from the plug 104. The plug 104 plugs into a jack or port(not shown) of an electronic or computing device 114. The plug 104extends from a laterally elongated base 116. The illumination device 112includes a generally cigar-shaped light housing 118 that houses one ormore light sources, e.g., white LED(s). The body 108 has a wide,ribbon-like shape. With reference to FIG. 5, from a side-elevationalview, the body 108 has a wave-like shape with crests 120 and troughs122. The body 108 preferably has a width that is substantially the sameas the width and/or height of the display screen 124 and is made of aflexible, bendable material. capable of being bent or shaped intomultiple configurations such as, but not by way of limitation, thoseshown in FIGS. 2-5. For example, with reference to FIG. 2, the body 108may be bent to a desired configuration for optimal illumination of adisplay screen 124 or other object associated with the electronic orcomputing device 120, e.g., input area(s) 128, associated video gameuser guide, reading publication, notes, etc. With reference to FIG. 3,the body 108 may be bent to a flat condition to serve as a displayscreen cover when the illumination apparatus 100 is not in use. FIG. 5illustrates how the illumination apparatus 100 may be collapsed into acompact position for storage. This is accomplished by wrapping the body108 around the base 116 and itself.

The one or more EL members 110 preferably run longitudinally withrespect to the body 108 and are in electrical communication with theplug 104 so that the EL member(s) 110 are illuminated when the plug 104is in electrical communication with at least one power source of theelectronic or computing device 114 via the port. In the embodimentshown, the EL member(s) 110 are exposed along a back side 132 of thebody 108 as circular members. In alternative embodiments, the ELmember(s) 110 may reside in or along one or more of the following: afront side 136, the back side 132, both the front side 136 and the backside 132, the base 116, and the illumination device 112. The ELmember(s) 110 are preferably EL wires or tubes. Each EL wire is a lightemitting capacitor. The capacitive structure is formed by a lightemitting electroluminescent semi-conductor layer sandwiched between twoconductive electrodes. A copper wire serves as a core electrode Thecopper wire is coated with several layers of dielectric andsemi-conductor materials which together form a coaxial construction. Atransparent conductive layer is then added with two thin copper wireswhich serve as the second electrode and when AC voltage is appliedbetween the two electrodes and exceeds a well-defined threshold value,the semi-conductor material between the two electrodes emits light. TheEL member(s) 110 are preferably LyTec™ Electroluminescent wires sold byELAM Electroluminescent Industries Ltd. of Jerusalem, Israel. The ELmember(s) 110 are preferably thin, flexible, durable, non-toxic, safe,UV resistant, use a minimal amount of electricity, and come in a widevariety of colors such as, but not by way of limitation, yellow, orange,green, coral, blue, aqua, purple, lime, red. One or more of the ELmember(s) 110 may have one or more of these colors.

The base 116 may house a controller comprising hardware, e.g.,electrical circuit, and/or software for causing the EL member(s) 110 toflash, blink, flicker, or light intermittently, flash, blink, flicker,or light simultaneously, flash, blink, flicker, or light in a randompattern or order, flash, blink, flicker, or light in a predeterminedpattern or order, brighten and/or dim the lighting of the member(s) 110,flash, blink, flicker, or light based on activity occurring with theelectronic or computing device 114. For example, if the electronic orcomputing device 114 is a handheld video game device such as a GAMEBOY™, signals from the video game being played and/or from the device114 may be used by the controller to control lighting of the ELmember(s) 110, e.g., a green EL member 110 flashes, blinks, flickers, orlights when something good happens in the game and a red EL member 110flashes, blinks, flickers, or lights when something bad happens in thegame. The controller may include a sequencer with speed control, on/offcontrol, reverse direction control. The controller or other electronicsassociated with the EL member(s) 110 preferably includes an inverter toconvert DC power from the power source of the device 114 to AC power forlighting the EL member(s) 110. The base 116 may include an on/off switchto switch the illumination apparatus 100 on or off.

In an alternative embodiment, the illumination apparatus 100 mayalternatively or additionally include its own power source, i.e., mayinclude a plug 104 and/or its own power source for deliveringelectricity to the illumination device and/or the illumination member(s)110.

In use, the plug 104 of the illumination apparatus 100 is plugged intothe port of the device 114 so that when the device 114 is powered on,the illumination apparatus 100 is also powered on, causing the lightsource(s) of the illumination device 112 to illuminate and/or the ELmember(s) 110 to illuminate. The body 108 may be bent to a desiredconfiguration for optimal lighting of any object(s) associated with thedevice 114 such as, but not by way of limitation, the display screen124. When not in use, the body 108 may be collapsed to the flatcondition shown in FIG. 3 so that the body 108 serves as a displayscreen cover to protect the screen, and to give the apparatus 100 anddevice 114 a sleeker, lower profile for easier and more convenientstorage and transport. Alternatively, the illumination apparatus 100 maybe unplugged from the device 114, and the body 108 may be collapsed orrolled upon itself as shown in FIG. 5 for storage of the apparatus 100.In another embodiment, the illumination apparatus 100 may be poweredwithout having to activate the device 114. In this embodiment, an on/offswitch associated with the apparatus 100 may be used for controllingillumination of the apparatus 100.

With reference to FIGS. 6-8, an illumination apparatus 200 constructedin accordance with an additional embodiment of the invention will bedescribed. The apparatus 200 includes a plug 204 (FIG. 7) extending froma base 206, a curvilinear bendable body 208, and an illumination device212 at an opposite end of the body 208 from the plug 204. The plug 204plugs into the jack or port (not shown) of the electronic or computingdevice 114. The illumination device 212 includes a beatie-shaped housing218. The housing 218 includes a downwardly extending, clear plastic,cylindrical connection member 220. The connection member 220 includes acylindrical body 224, an upper circular flange 228, and a lower circularflange 232. The lower circular flange 232 has a diameter slightlygreater than the diameter of the cylindrical body 224. One or more lightsources 236, e.g., white LED(s), are housed within the connection member220.

A variety of differently configured interchangeable plastic heads 240may be connected to the connection member 220. Each head 240 may have agenerally disc-like plastic body 244 with a central connection hole 248.The hole 248 is open on a top end for snappingly receiving theconnection member 220 and closed on a bottom end with a transparent ortranslucent lens 252. Although the heads 240 are described as beingdisk-shaped, the heads 240 may come in a variety of differentconfigurations other than disk-shaped. Further, the heads 240 may comein different themes, colors, light patterns, etc.

In use, one of the unique, interchangeable, disk-shaped heads 240 issnapped onto the connection member 220. The plug 204 of the illuminationapparatus 200 is plugged into the port of the device 114. When thedevice 114 is powered on, the light source(s) 236 is also powered on.The light source(s) 236 illuminates the disk-shaped head 240 and anyobject(s) associated with the device 114 such as, but not by way oflimitation, the display screen 124 and/or the input area(s) 128. Thebody 208 may be bent to a desired configuration for optimal lighting ofthe object(s) associated with the device 114. In another embodiment, theillumination apparatus 200 may be powered without having to activate thedevice 114. In this embodiment, an on/off switch associated with theapparatus 200 may be used for controlling illumination of the apparatus200.

With reference to FIG. 8, in an alternative embodiment of theillumination apparatus 100, the cylindrical body 224 of the connectionmember 220 may have an electrically conductive outer surface 256 that iselectrically coupled to the plug 204. One or more of the heads 240 mayhave an electrically conductive cylindrical inner surface 260 that comesin electrical contact with the conductive outer surface 256 of theconnection member 220 when the head 240 is connected to the connectionmember 220. A disk-shaped EL member 264 is coupled to the conductiveinner surface 260 of the head 240. When the head 240 is connected to theconnection member 220 and the illumination apparatus 200 is plugged intothe port of the device 114, the disk-shaped EL member 264 illuminatesthe head 240. Although the EL member 240 is described as beingdisk-shaped, the EL member 240 may be wire-shaped or have otherconfigurations. As described above with respect to the EL members 110,the EL member 240 may come in a variety of different colors. The ELmember 240 may also be actuated and controlled in a manner similar tothat described above the EL members 110.

Another embodiment of the invention involves a kit including theillumination apparatus 200 and the multiple interchangeable heads 240.

With reference to FIGS. 9-11, an illumination apparatus 300 constructedin accordance with a further embodiment of the invention will bedescribed. The apparatus 300 includes a plug 304 extending from a base306, a bendable body 308, and an illumination device 312 at an oppositeend of the body 308 from the plug 304. The plug 304 plugs into the jackor port (not shown) of the electronic or computing device 114. The base306 is generally cigar-shaped and includes a power source housing 316that carries one or more power sources, e.g., disposable batteries,rechargeable batteries, fuel cells. In the embodiment shown, the powersource housing 316 is sized to house a single AAA battery. A cover 320is threadingly engageable with the power source housing 316. The cover320 may include a slot 324 sized to receive an edge of a coin. The coinmay be used as a tool to remove or attach the cover 320 for changing thebattery. The power housing 316 preferably includes an on/off switch foractivating or deactivating the illumination apparatus 100. A rhomboidalbook clip mechanism 328 may extend forwardly from the base 306. The bookclip mechanism 328 includes an outer book clip member 332 separated byan inner book clip member 336 by a space 340. The book clip mechanism328 may also serve as a desk-top base for supporting the illuminationapparatus 300.

The body 308 is adjustable for orienting the illumination device 312 inan optimal lighting condition. The body 308 is pivotally or foldablyconnected to the base 306 for pivotal or folding movement between afolded-up or pivoted-up position shown in FIG. 10 and a folded-down orpivoted-down position shown in FIG. 11. The body 308 is also bendableand shapeable. The body 308 includes a rhomboidal cross-section thatgradually tapers in geometry from a point adjacent to the base 306 to apoint adjacent to the illumination device 312. An upper portion 344 ofthe body 308 may have multiple ridges 348.

The illumination device 312 includes a light housing 352 with atransparent or translucent hood 356. One or more light sources, e.g.,white LED(s), are housed within the light housing 352.

In use, the plug 304 of the illumination apparatus 300 is plugged intothe port of the device 114. When the device 114 is powered on, theillumination apparatus 300 is also powered on. This causes the lightsource(s) of the illumination device 312 to emit light through the hood356. The body 108 may be adjusted to a desired configuration for optimallighting of any object(s) associated with the device 114 such as, butnot by way of limitation, the display screen 124 and/or input area(s)128. start here This may be accomplished by folding or pivoting the body308 relative to the base 306 to a desired position and/or bending thebody 308 to a desired orientation. When not in use, the body 308 may befolded or pivoted to the folded-down position shown in FIG. 11 to givethe apparatus 300 and the device 114 a sleeker, lower profile for easierand more convenient storage and transport.

Because the illumination apparatus 300 has its own power source, theillumination apparatus 300 may also be used with electronic or computingdevices 114 (or other objects, e.g., books) that do not include a portthat the apparatus 300 can plug into and draw power from. The clippingmechanism 328 may be used to clip the apparatus 300 to the device 114 orobject, to clip the apparatus 300 to a support surface in the vicinityof the device 114 or object, or may serve as a desk top base if placedon a flat surface such as a table top. The illumination device 312 isactuated, causing light to be emitted through the hood 356, by movingthe switch to the “on” position.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that stillfurther changes and modifications in the actual concepts describedherein can readily be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of illuminating an object associatedwith a portable handheld video game device having a port in electricalconnection with at least one power source and a display screen,comprising: providing an illumination apparatus comprising a plug forplugging the apparatus into the port, a body connected to the plug, thebody sized to cover and protect at least the entire display screen, andan illumination device carried by the body; plugging the plug of theillumination apparatus into the port of the portable handheld video gamedevice; lighting the illumination device with the power source toilluminate an object associated with the portable handheld video gamedevice; and covering and protecting the entire display screen with thebody of the illumination apparatus.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe step of lighting includes lighting the illumination device with thepower source to illuminate the display screen of the portable handheldvideo game device.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminationapparatus also includes its own power source.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the body carries one or more EL members.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein the illumination device includes at least one light emittingdiode (“LED”).
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one LED is atleast one white LED.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the displayscreen has a width and a height, and the body has a width that issubstantially the same as at least one of the width and the height ofthe display screen.
 8. An illumination apparatus for illuminating anobject associated with a portable handheld video game device having aport in electrical connection with at least one power source and adisplay screen, comprising: a plug for plugging the apparatus into theport; a body connected to the plug, the body sized to cover and protectat least the entire display screen; an illumination device carried bythe body to illuminate an object associated with the portable handheldvideo game device, wherein the body is positionable between at least afirst position where the body covers and protects at least the entirethe display screen and a second position where the body does not coverand protect the entire display screen.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the object associated with the portable handheld video gamedevice is the display screen of the portable handheld video game device.10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the illumination apparatus alsoincludes its own power source.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein thebody carries one or more EL members.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the illumination device includes at least one light emittingdiode (“LED”).
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least one LEDis at least one white LED.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein thedisplay screen has a width and a height, and the body has a width thatis substantially the same as at least one of the width and the height ofthe display screen.